Ben Fisher was in Cardiff tonight to see Wales run riot. His report has landed. Thanks for reading this Clockwatch. Nighty night!
Two-goal Aaron Ramsey talks to Sky. “We did what we wanted to do: be on the front foot early in the game, and we managed to do that. It’s not always easy to play against a low block. It’s amazing to be back in front of our home fans. Tuesday’s game will be massive, hopefully we can get another result. Hopefully Gareth Bale will be good to go on Tuesday. I’m not sure but I think his substitution was just a precaution. We’ve had some great battles against Belgium over the years, so hopefully we’ll have another great night here.”
France join Belgium in Qatar next winter, four-goal Kylian Mbappe having put Kazakhstan to the sword. The Netherlands were eight minutes away from joining them, but inexplicably let a two-goal lead slip in Montenegro. They’re still two points clear at the top of Group G, but both Turkey and Norway can now beat them to automatic qualification. Tuesday’s games - Montenegro v Turkey, Netherlands v Norway - promise box-office thrills.
That’s a fine victory for Wales, who are now second in Group E with a three-point and two-goal advantage over the third-placed Czech Republic. Belgium, who travel to Cardiff on Tuesday, have secured their place in Qatar with their win over Estonia. Gareth Bale, now a member of the 100 Club, modestly, bordering on reluctantly, soaks up an ovation from the crowd, forced up front and centre by his happy team-mates. Wales could have another ton-up merchant soon, as well, Rob Page having sent on Wayne Hennessey for Danny Ward with a couple of minutes to go, so he can claim his 98th cap. There’s nice.
The full times
Group D
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-3 Finland
France 8-0 Kazakhstan
Group E
Wales 5-1 Belarus
Belgium 3-1 Estonia
Group G
Norway 0-0 Latvia
Turkey 6-0 Gibraltar
Montenegro 2-2 Netherlands
GOAL! France 8-0 Kazakhstan (Mbappe 87)
Four for Kylian Mbappe. Throw in one assist, and it’s been quite the performance from the PSG star.
Incidentally, there was a lovely moment on 85 minutes in Cardiff, as the crowd paid a warm, heartfelt tribute to the late Gary Speed. The former Wales star won 85 caps for his country, and took charge of his final game as manager ten years ago this week.
85' | 🏴 4-0 🇧🇾
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) November 13, 2021
There's only one Gary Speed ❤️ #WALBLR | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/C6X5sRaXTL
GOAL! Wales 5-1 Belarus (Roberts 89)
... but the Welsh re-establish their four-goal lead quick-smart, Harry Wilson whipping a free kick from the right touchline towards the near post, where Connor Roberts flicks home!
GOAL! Wales 4-1 Belarus (Kontsevoi 87)
It’s a quickfire double in Cardiff, too, as Artem Kontsevoi sends a screeching dipper into the top right from an absurd distance. What a consolation goal!
GOAL! Montenegro 2-2 Netherlands (Vujnovic 86)
... and another! Nikola Vujnović equalises and it looks like the Dutch will have to wait.
GOAL! Montenegro 1-2 Netherlands (Vukotic 82)
It’s going to be a nervous final few minutes for the Dutch, who are suddenly no longer certain of automatically making it this evening. Substitute Ilija Vukotić halves their lead.
GOAL! France 7-0 Kazakhstan (Griezmann 84 pen)
Antoine Griezmann gets in on the act from 12 yards. He’d earned the right to take it, having had the back of his leg raked, the ref pointing to the spot. He unveils a t-shirt commemorating the victims of the November 2015 terror attacks in Paris.
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A free kick out on the left for Wales, who load the box. Harry Wilson whips a stunning ball through the six-yard box. It hits the unaware Ben Davies and nearly squirts into the bottom right. It would have been one hell of a fluke - albeit with one hell of an assist - but Sergei Chernik gathers.
A slew of substitutions in Cardiff. The Welsh flow is interrupted.
GOAL! France 6-0 Kazakhstan (Rabiot 75)
See the last entry, except Adrien Rabiot’s header was flush. France are making their way over the line in smooth style.
GOAL! Wales 4-0 Belarus (B Davies 77)
A corner from the right. Ben Davies rises highest to meet it with his ... shoulder. Never mind, it flies in anyway, and that’s his first goal for Wales, who have a couple of goals on the third-placed Czechs now.
GOAL! Belgium 3-1 Estonia (T Hazard 74)
Ah, it doesn’t matter, forget all that. Substitute Thorgan Hazard restores Belgium’s two-goal cushion in short order.
GOAL! Belgium 2-1 Estonia (Sorga 70)
Well, well, well. Erik Sorga pulls one back in Brussels, and perhaps Belgium aren’t home and hosed quite yet. Mind you, they’ll still be all but qualified if they only draw: Wales would have to run up a cricket score against them in Cardiff to pip them, 7-0 by my back-of-fag-packet calculations (though I wouldn’t rely on my maths if I were you). Estonia would have to score a couple more to realistically crack the door open for Wales.
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Dan James goes down in the Belarus box, having been gently brushed from behind by Aleksandr Selyava as he was lashing at a shot from a tight angle. He takes a fresh-air kick instead and hits the deck. Just a corner. There wasn’t a whole lot in it, you could argue, but Selyava got away with one there.
Ethan Ampadu is booked for crumping his elbow into Vladislav Klimovich’s lughole as the pair contest a high ball. No need for it, especially as the yellow card means he’ll miss the big climax against Belgium in three days’ time. He cocks his head back and crunches his eyes in pained irritation.
GOAL! France 5-0 Kazakhstan (Benzema 59)
Kylian Mbappe scored his first-half hat-trick in 26 minutes. Karim Benzema is going at an even quicker lick here, scoring his second in four minutes, this one assisted by Mbappe. The champions enjoying themselves.
GOAL! Montenegro 0-2 Netherlands (Depay 54)
Memphis Depay scored the opener from the spot after Davy Klaassen was felled in the box. This goal is converted from much closer range. About 11 yards closer, in fact. Holland, who failed to make it to Russia, are surely back in the big time.
GOAL! France 4-0 Kazakhstan (Benzema 55)
Someone else gets on the scoresheet at the Parc des Princes. Karim Benzema makes it four from close range, having been set up by Theo Hernández.
GOAL! Belgium 2-0 Estonia (Carrasco 53)
Yannick Carrasco, with an assist already to his name this evening, chalks up a goal as well. Roberto Martínez’s side are almost certainly going to qualify from Group E in first place. That will hopefully make life a bit easier for Wales on Tuesday night.
It’s not exactly shocking news to report that Belarus look a thoroughly beaten docket. They’re on course to lose their ninth game in a row, and are second to everything right now. Wales have a chance to fill their boots here, and boost their goal difference over the third-placed Czechs.
GOAL! Wales 3-0 Belarus (Ramsey 50 pen)
Belarus keeper Sergei Chernik jigs about on his line in the Grobbelaar -Dudek tradition. He doesn’t faze Aaron Ramsey, who gives him the eyes, sends him the wrong way, and passes gracefully into the bottom right. What a lovely penalty.
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Penalty for Wales! Brennan Johnson makes an instant impact, pressuring Ruslan Yudenkov as they chase a high ball. Yudenkov loses his bearings and allows the ball to slap off his arm. The referee has a quick think, then points to the spot!
Wales captain Gareth Bale’s 100th appearance for his country is over. He’s replaced at half-time, presumably blowing hard, having not played a single game since early September. Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson comes on in his place.
Half-time entertainment. Jonathan Wilson’s Observer column is hot off the press. You know the drill: click for your edification!
Scoreboard
Group D
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-3 Finland (FT)
France 3-0 Kazakhstan (HT)
Group E
Wales 2-0 Belarus (HT)
Belgium 1-0 Estonia (HT)
Group G
Norway 0-0 Latvia (FT)
Turkey 6-0 Gibraltar (FT)
Montenegro 0-1 Netherlands (HT)
Wales continue to ping it around, but Belarus are holding their shape on the edge of their box. A gentle drift towards half time.
Wales keep searching for a third goal. Ramsey and Williams take turns to have shots blocked. The hosts are getting plenty of joy down this left wing.
Here’s some information on Finland’s earlier 3-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, courtesy of our old pal Kári Tulinius, who will be loving Kylian Mbappe’s antics right now. “Finland is hoping France cruise through tonight and will have their foot off the gas for their final match, against the Eagle-Owls. Speaking of, Finland’s win was impressive considering Raitala was sent off with about half an hour played, so they were a man down for an hour or so, but still were comfortably the better team against Bosnia, who admittedly were missing Dzeko. Norwich fans will be heartened to know that, even though he missed a pen, Pukki is back to his best, creating the first with a fine assist, and chased down a lost cause which led to the second.”
Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick goal was a hell of a finish, by the way. Another right-wing cross from Kingsley Coman, met with a header perfectly aimed across the keeper and into the top left.
GOAL! France 3-0 Kazakhstan (Mbappe 32)
Anything Harry Kane can do, Kylian Mbappe can manage a little bit faster. He completes a first-half hat-trick, and the world champions are sailing to Qatar in style.
Harry Wilson and Gareth Bale exchange crisp passes down the inside-left channel. Wilson very nearly releases Neco Williams with a slide-rule pass, but the flag goes up for offside. Wales are playing some very easy-on-the-eye stuff.
Wales are in search of a third. Dan James and Neco Williams combine well down the left, the former teeing up the latter to cross deep for Connor Roberts, who sends a hard-won header over the bar.
GOAL! Montenegro 0-1 Netherlands (Depay 25 pen)
The Dutch are going to Qatar as things stand. Memphis Depay has given Louis van Gaal’s side the lead in Podgorica, slotting a 25th-minute penalty.
As things stand, Belgium will qualify automatically from Group E, while Wales move into second, three points clear of the Czech Republic in third. Crucially, they now have the same goal difference as the Czechs, so a couple more this evening would be most welcome. The Czechs host Estonia in their final game on Tuesday, while Wales welcome the Belgians. Goal difference could make or break Welsh hopes of a home tie in the play-off semis.
GOAL! Wales 2-0 Belarus (N Williams 20)
Gareth Bale strides purposefully towards the Belarus box. The crowd encourage him to shoot from a daft distance. He declines and opts to feed Neco Williams to his left. Williams drops a shoulder to make space and sends a shot towards the bottom left. Sergei Chernik should claim, it wasn’t the purest strike, but he fumbles the ball into the corner and Wales haven’t taken long to establish a two-goal cushion in this must-win game.
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Belarus bear their teeth for the first time this evening, Nikolai Zolotov bustling down the middle before hoicking a long-distance shot well over the bar. The visitors probably should have been awarded a corner, the ball taking a nick en route to the stand behind, but they don’t get one.
GOAL! France 2-0 Kazakhstan (Mbappe 12)
A nice pattern developing in this match, as Kylian Mbappe follows up his sixth-minute goal with another on 12. This time he converts a cross from the right, sweeping Kingsley Coman’s low pass into the net from 12 yards.
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Connor Roberts passes up a great chance to make it two for Wales. He’s got time and space inside the box, 12 yards out and level with the right-hand post. Aiming for the bottom left, he drags his diagonal shot well wide. With only the keeper to beat, he should have done better.
GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Estonia (Benteke 11)
Belgium will make it through with a win tonight as well, and they’re off to a brisk start. Christian Benteke has opened the scoring at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, tapping home from close range after good work by Yannick Carrasco down the left, and the 2018 bronze medallists have one foot on the plane to Qatar.
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GOAL! France 1-0 Kazakhstan (Mbappe 6)
The reigning world champions should qualify automatically, of course, but here we are. Never mind, France can qualify tonight, should they see off Kazakhstan in Paris, and they’re off to a great start. Theo Hernández reaches the byline down the left, cuts back, and Kylian Mbappé pokes instinctively into the bottom left.
It could be a long evening for Belarus, who have lost their last eight games on the bounce. On the bench, coach Georgi Kondratiev chews his fingernails nervously.
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GOAL! Wales 1-0 Belarus (Ramsey 2)
The corner’s pulled back to Joe Allen, whose shot from the edge of the D is deflected over the bar. And from the second corner, Ben Davies drive is parried by Sergei Chernik. A fine save as the ball flies through a crowded box, but he can only tee up Aaron Ramsey, who taps in from a couple of yards. What a start!
Here we go, then. A minute of respectful silence in memory of the fallen, then the roof comes off the Cardiff City Stadium as Wales get down to business, winning an early corner down the left through Dan James.
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The teams are out in Cardiff. Gareth Bale leads the team out. The Wales captain will be making his 100th appearance for his country. We’ll be off in a minute, after the choir in the stands belts out a rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
Wales have been warming up in t-shirts supporting David Brooks and Dan Barden. The Bournemouth midfielder and Livingston goalkeeper are both currently undergoing treatment for cancer. The FAW have joined Tenovus Cancer Care to raise awareness of the charity and its support line. Best wishes to David and Dan.
Wales boss Rob Page speaks to Sky Sports. “We knew there would be a strong possibility that we’d get that play-off place, so we didn’t celebrate it. The plan is to finish second. It could go down to goal difference, so it’s all out for a win tonight. Gareth Bale has done really well to get himself fit, and will get his 100th cap. But our full focus is on the three points, we can celebrate that afterwards. It’s game on.”
Tonight's teams
Belgium: Courtois, Castagne, Denayer, Vertonghen, Meunier, Witsel, Vanaken, Carrasco, De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Benteke.
Subs: Trossard, Dendoncker, Thorgan Hazard, Saelemaekers, Theate, Mignolet, Boyata, Origi, Casteels, Sambi Lokonga, De Ketelaere, Mertens.
Estonia: Igonen, Paskotsi, Tamm, Mets, Teniste, Poom, Kreida, Vassiljev, Ojamaa, Zenjov, Anier.
Subs: Sorga, Purg, Lukka, Vallner, Soomets, Sappinen, Puri, Pikk, Aksalu, Miller, Sinyavskiy, Kirss.
Wales: Ward, Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies, C Roberts, Allen, Ramsey, N Williams, Wilson, James, Bale.
Subs: Hennessey, A Davies, Gunter, Mepham, T Roberts, Colwill, Morrell, Thomas, Harris, Vaulks, Johnson, J Williams.
Belarus: Chernik, Zolotov, Yudenkov, Selyava, Pechenin, Naumov, Klimovich, Yablonski, Sedko, Ebong, V Lisakovich.
Subs: Khatkevich, Pavlyuchenko, Shevchenko, Sokol, Ebong, Bakhar, Solovei, Yuzepchuk, Kontsevoi, Lisakovich, Levitski, Antilevski.
France: Lloris, Kounde, Upamecano, Lucas, Coman, Kante, Rabiot, Hernandez, Griezmann, Benzema, Mbappe.
Subs: Diaby, Areola, Veretout, Digne, Tchouameni, Pavard, Guendouzi, Zouma, Costil, Lenglet, Dubois, Ben Yedder.
Kazakhstan: Pokatilov, Bystrov, Yerlanov, Taikenov, Alip, Marochkin, Zharinbetov, Kuat, Tapalov, Omirtayev, Aimbetov.
Subs: Seisen, Baytana, Zhaksylykov, Vasiljev, Tursynbay, Kasym, Kairov, Shayzada, Shushenachev.
Montenegro: Sarkic, Marko Vukcevic, Vujacic, Savic, Tomasevic, Radunovic, Jankovic, Osmajic, Haksabanovic, Djurdjevic, Jovovic.
Subs: Vujnovic, Vukotic, Dreskovic, Agovic, Mirkovic, Raickovic, Beciraj, Bozovic, Mijatovic, Simic.
Netherlands: Bijlow, Dumfries, de Vrij, van Dijk, Blind, Wijnaldum, Klaassen, Frenkie de Jong, Depay, Malen, Danjuma.
Subs: Ake, Bergwijn, Malacia, Lang, Gravenberch, Weghorst, Rensch, Cillessen, de Ligt, Til, Flekken, Koopmeiners.
Today's results so far
Group D
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-3 Finland (FT)
France v Kazakhstan
Group E
Wales v Belarus
Belgium v Estonia
Group G
Norway 0-0 Latvia (FT)
Turkey 6-0 Gibraltar (FT)
Montenegro v Netherlands
Updated
FULL TIME: Norway 0-0 Latvia.
FULL TIME: Turkey 6-0 Gibraltar.
No joy for Norway in Oslo. Two dropped points, coupled with Turkey’s rout of Gibraltar, means they slip to third. Turkey leapfrog them into second on goal difference. Both teams are just a point behind the Netherlands, who can now secure qualification tonight if they win in Montenegro.
Ødegaard whips in a cross from the right. Alexander Sørloth flashes a header, meant for the top-right corner, inches over the har. With 30 seconds remaining, that could be that.
Norway are currently piling everyone forward in their desperation. Eight minutes of injury time, though. During the first four, Martin Ødegaard nearly squeezes one home from a tight angle on the right, while the luckless Mohamed Elyounoussi has a rasping drive blocked.
There are two matches going on now. Turkey are beating Gibraltar 5-0 with ten minutes to go, while Norway are being held at home 0-0 by Latvia. If Norway fail to find a goal in the five minutes plus stoppages that are left, Turkey will leapfrog them into second place in Group G. That would seriously dent Norwegian hopes of qualification, given their last match is away to the Netherlands, while Turkey go to Montenegro. It’s tense in Oslo, then, where Mohamed Elyounoussi has had an effort cleared off the line and seen a goal chalked off by VAR for offside.
There’s already been one result in European qualifying today. Finland have won 3-1 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a result that puts them second in Group D behind leaders France, who can qualify tonight by beating Kazakhstan. Teemu Pukki missed a 10th-minute penalty, but Marcus Forss put Finland ahead soon after, and Robin Lod made it two on 51 minutes. Luka Menalo pulled one back on 69 minutes, but Daniel O’Shaughnessy restored Finland’s two-goal cushion four minutes later, and that was that. It all sets up a big night on Tuesday, as Finland welcome France while Bosnia-Herzegovina host third-placed Ukraine, who are two points behind the Finns.
Preamble
You want World Cup qualification drama? We got ... well, actually, let’s not oversell the product. The big game from our point of view this evening is Wales versus Belarus, and while there’s some jeopardy for Rob Page’s men - they need to pip the Czech Republic to second spot in Group E if they’re to have any chance of a home draw in the play-off semis - they’ve got a safety net of a guaranteed play-off place by dint of having won their Nations League group last year. So while a win tonight would be mighty handy, there’s no scope for any Zenica-style party or Bodinesque wake. Kick-off in Cardiff is 7.45pm GMT. Mae ymlaen!
Other 7.45pm kick-offs are available. France and Belgium can seal automatic qualification with home victories over Kazakhstan and Estonia respectively, while the Netherlands will also make it should they beat Montenegro and Norway fail to see off Latvia, about which you’ll hear more in a cold minute. Let’s get on with it, then.
